Gun safety device

ABSTRACT

A device for controlling access to a firearm having a muzzle with a muzzle device. The device includes a lock housing with a cavity to receive the muzzle device and a portion of the barrel. The device also includes a lock mechanism shaft coupled to a lock mechanism that is configured for rotational movement upon actuation of the lock mechanism. The lock mechanism shaft is coupled to a cam that moves axially upon rotation of the lock mechanism shaft. A bidirectional rotatable shaft is coupled to the cam and is insertable into the muzzle of the firearm occupying the full length of the firearm&#39;s muzzle device, barrel and chamber. The device also includes a plurality of arms coupled to a perimeter of the cam and arranged for pivotal and radial movement to secure the firearm muzzle in the cavity of the lock housing. A plurality of tabs are arranged on the arms for engagement with the muzzle device to retain the muzzle device within the lock housing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to devices for gun safety. In particular,the present invention relates to devices that prevent unauthorized useof a gun having some type of muzzle device coupled thereto.

2. Background of the Invention

The present invention is an advancement over the gun safety devicedescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,687 that was issued on Dec. 23, 1997.The entire content of U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,687 is incorporated herein byreference. Improvements have been made to enhance the functionality ofthe device. Those improvements include the elimination of somecomponents of the original device, the modification of some componentsof the original device and the addition of new components. A newactuating means of securing a firearm is introduced in the presentinvention. The invention described herein improves overall safetycertainty, strengthens structural integrity, improves anti-tamperingproperties and reduces manufacturing costs. The invention can be used tosecure a firearm that includes some type of muzzle device, such as aflash hider, a flash suppressor, a muzzle brake and/or a compensator.The invention also accommodates those firearms that include manufacturedindentations, flats and cuts, including those made in the muzzlevicinity of the firearm's slide.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is designed to secure guns having a muzzle device such asa flash hider, a flash suppressor, a muzzle brake and/or a compensator.The invention may also be used to secure firearms that possess ablade-like front sight, a bead-like front sight, and firearms withvertical and near-vertical serrations, cuts and/or other indentations inthe muzzle vicinity of the firearm. With respect to the original devicedescribed in the cited patent, most, but not all, improvements are tospecific components: improving their function, strengthening them andtheir anti-tamper properties and making them easier and cheaper toproduce. A few new components are added. A few components have beeneliminated. This device is designed to further self-defend itself andresist tampering and defeat by commonly available means including: bruteforce, crushing, cutting, drilling, grinding and reverse installation. Agoal of the device of the present invention is to damage or destroy,both itself and the firearm, before it is compromised.

The device includes a lock housing with a base component coupled to areceptacle component, wherein the receptacle component includes a cavityconfigured for insertion therein of the muzzle device and at least aportion of the muzzle barrel. It also includes a key structure coupledto the base component of the lock housing, wherein the key structure isarranged to receive a key. A lock mechanism is coupled to the keystructure and arranged for actuation by the key. A lock mechanism shaftis coupled to the lock mechanism and is configured for rotationalmovement upon actuation of the lock mechanism. The device also includesa cam having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end ofthe cam is in contact with the lock mechanism shaft such that rotationalmovement of the lock mechanism shaft causes axial movement of the cam. Abidirectional rotatable shaft is coupled to and within the proximal endof the cam and arranged for insertion into the muzzle of the firearm. Aplurality of arms is coupled to a perimeter of the cam and arranged forpivotal and radial movement to secure the firearm muzzle in the cavityof the lock housing. The arms include a plurality of tabs arranged onthe plurality of arms for engagement with an exterior surface of themuzzle device to retain the muzzle device within the lock housing. Thedevice also includes near the proximal end of the cam a notched diskwith circumferential notches or indentations, wherein the notched diskis made of a material that protects distal and external surfaces of themuzzle device from abrasion and damage. A conically shaped bushing islocated proximal to the notched disk arranged to occupy a cavity withina distal region of the muzzle device. The device further includes a snapring arranged to fasten the notched disk and the conically shapedbushing together, wherein the bidirectional rotatable shaft isconfigured to protrude from the proximal end of the cam, penetratethrough the notched disk, the conically shaped bushing and the snap ringand extend into the firearm barrel. The device optionally includes asemi-flexible, bi-directionally rotating wand coupled to a proximal endof the bidirectional rotatable shaft, wherein the wand is arranged toextend through a remainder of an internal length or bore of the barrelof the firearm and the full length of its chamber, thus preventing theloading of a live round of ammunition in the firearm. The plurality ofarms and the tabs are configured to receive and grasp blade-like frontsights that are common to most firearms including pistols, revolvers andmany rifles as well as the bead-like front sights common to shotguns.The plurality of arms and the tabs may also be configured to receive andgrasp vertical and near-vertical serrations, cuts and other indentationsof the muzzle of the firearm. The device includes a self-protectivecage-like structure arranged to protect the internal length of thedevice and the firearm against tampering and defeat. The cage-likestructure may include a key disk, one or more support disks, lockhousing rods or pins and a bushing, wherein the one or more supportdisks are located within an interior of the bushing and the lock housingconfiguration to provide internal lateral support against attemptedcompromise by crushing. The cage-like structure may be configured toshelter multiple types of firearms, multiple types of muzzle devices andmultiple muzzle configurations. The bushing enjoys bidirectionalrotational freedom of movement and internally protects the entire lockhousing, cavity, all components within the lock housing and at least aportion of the muzzle device, all of the muzzle device and at least aportion of the barrel. The bushing may be a unitary structure or it maybe a combination of bushing components. The device may include a pyricdisk located adjacent to the lock mechanism. The device may include alanyard retainer coupled to the lock housing. The conically shapedbushing may be super-imposed over the bidirectional rotatable shaft tooccupy the cavity within the distal region of the muzzle device. Theconically shaped bushing and the notched disk center stabilize thefirearm within the cavity of the lock housing during activation so as toeliminate looseness.

The following detailed description, the accompanying drawings and theappended claims will further describe the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the firearm safety device of the presentinvention,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the firearm safety device of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective dissected view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective exploded view of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A gun safety device 4030 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1-5 isa type of locking mechanism that can be used to prevent firearmoperation for those firearms having a muzzle device 46 such as a flashhider, a flash suppressor, a muzzle brake and/or a compensator affixedto the muzzle by preventing ammunition from being chambered by blockingthe barrel 45 and chamber of the firearm 40. The device 4030 may also beused to prevent usage of firearms that possess other configurations ofwhat are referred to herein as muzzle devices, such as a blade-likefront sight, a bead-like front sight and firearms with vertical andnear-vertical serrations, cuts and/or other indentations in the muzzlevicinity of the firearm 40.

The device 4030 includes an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) keyactivated security pin tumbler or wafer tumbler screw-type lockmechanism 4020, a bi-directionally rotating shaft 4110, an armsfoundation 4075, arms 4015 with tabs 4018 thereon, a lock housing 4021and a lock foundation 4090 among other components. When the lockmechanism 4020 is actuated, a lock mechanism shaft 4020a that may be athreaded shaft 4020a upon a proximal terminus of the lock mechanism 4020causes a cam 4012 to move axially in both proximal 11 and distal 12directions, controlling a plurality of spring-urged arms 4015. Near theproximal end of this cam 4012 is a replaceable notched disk 4013, withcircumferential notches or indentations, and that are shown as crossshaped in FIG. 5. The disk 4013 is made of a material that protectsdistal and external surfaces of the muzzle device 46 from abrasion anddamage. Located proximally to the notched disk 4013, is a replaceableconically shaped bushing 4013a that occupies a cavity 47 within thedistal 12 region of the firearm muzzle device 46. The notched disk 4013and conically shaped bushing 4013a may be fastened in place with a snapring 4014. The bi-directionally rotating shaft 4110 protrudes from theproximal end of the cam 4012, penetrates through the notched disk 4013,conically shaped bushing 4013a and snap ring 4014 and extends into thefirearm's barrel. The shaft 4110 may include a semi-flexible,bi-directionally rotating wand 4110a at its proximal end. This wand4110a extends through the rest of the internal length or bore 44 of thebarrel 45 and the full length of its chamber, thus preventing theloading of a live round of ammunition in the firearm 40.

Responding to clockwise rotation of key structure 4010 and key 4010a,the cam 4012 migrates proximally 11 and urges all arms 4015 radially tothe point where the firearm's muzzle or the muzzle device 46 located onthe muzzle enters through an opening 4000, into the cavity 4000a, on aproximal end of lock housing receptacle 4021b where it is sheltered andsuperimposes over the device's shaft 4110, wand 4110a and conicallyshaped bushing 4013a. One or more marks, rings or circumferentialgrooves 4021d on the external surface of the lock housing configuration4021 indicates to the user where to line up the firearm's muzzle and/ormuzzle device against components within the lock housing configuration4021 for activation to occur.

When the key structure 4010 or key 4010a is rotated in acounterclockwise manner, the cam 4012 migrates in a distal 12 direction,the arms 4015 are pivotally and inwardly urged by dorsal arm supportsprings 4015a thereon. On the ventral surface 4015b of each arm 4015and/or at its terminus 4015c, is a very hard, reinforced and cushionedtab 4018 with dimensions that conform closely to the above-mentioned oneor more grooves 48 on the muzzle device 46. These tabs 4018 firmlycontact and grasp inner and lateral surfaces of grooves 48 of the muzzledevice 46, thereby securing the firearm 40 and completing the activationor locking function of the device 4030. Similarly, the arms 4015 andtabs 4018 may be modified such that they grasp indentations and/orserrations on distal surfaces of the firearm's slides (common topistols). Alternatively or in addition, the arms 4015 and tabs 4018 maybe modified to receive and grasp blade-like front sights that are commonto most firearms, including pistols, revolvers and many rifles as wellas the bead-like front sights common to shotguns.

Likewise, deactivation of the device 4030 takes place when one rotatesthe key structure 4010 or key 4010a in a clockwise direction, whichcauses the cam 4012 to migrate proximally, urging all arms 4015 radiallyto the point where the tabs 4018 thereon release their grasp within thegrooves upon the muzzle device 48 or the indentations and/or serrationson distal surfaces of the firearm. At this point, the firearm's muzzledevice or muzzle may be withdrawn through the device opening 4000completing the deactivation or unlocking function of the device 4030.

In the present invention, actuation takes place in the distal region 12of the firearm 40, in the distal region 12 of the device 4030, withinthe cavity 4000a on the proximal 11 end of the lock housingconfiguration 4021 securing against external surfaces of the firearm'smuzzle device 46, serrations, cuts and/or indentations on the slideand/or on front sights and/or the muzzle vicinity. Securing the firearmis accomplished by the “passive” occupation of the full length of thebore 44 and chamber with shaft 4110 and/or wand 4110a components; thus,the new activating means referenced above.

The device 4030 includes a self-protective cage-like structureestablished by key disk 4022 and support disk 4022a, as well as lockhousing rods or pins 4025 and bushing 4100. Singular or multipleinternal support disk 4085 reside within interior 4100c of the bushing4100, within the lock housing configuration 4021, at strategic locationsand provide internal lateral support against attempted compromise bycrushing. These components are made of durable, very hard, high qualityand non-corrodible materials, such as a stainless steel. They have thesame roles and characteristics as previously described in the originalinvention. This improved cage-like structure self protects the internallength and breadth of the device 4030, and the firearm 40, againsttampering and defeat and may be modified to shelter multiple types offirearms 40, multiple muzzle devices 46 and multiple muzzleconfigurations.

Bushing 4100 enjoys bi-directional rotational freedom of movement. It islarger than the corresponding one of the original safety device andinternally protects the entire lock housing configuration 4021, cavity4000a, all of the components within the lock housing configuration 4021and all, or most of all, of the firearms firearm's muzzle device 46 anda portion of the firearm's barrel 45. This component bolsters the abovecage-like structure and serves as a self-protective and anti-tamperingelement. The bushing 4100 may be a unitary structure or it may be acombination of bushing components such as subcomponent 4100a andsubcomponent 4100b.

In contrast to the configuration of the original invention, in thepresent invention represented by device 4030, a new lock housingconfiguration 4021 comprising base component 4021a and receptaclecomponent 4021b is much longer, and that are joined together, such as bywelding, at a weld point 4021c, during the assembly process. Thesecomponents are manufactured of a very hard, high quality and corrosionresistant material, such as a stainless steel. The exterior surfaces ofthe lock housing configuration 4021 may be finished and/or knurled toobscure any weld point if desired.

The opening 4000 and cavity 4000a at the proximal end 11 of the lockhousing receptacle 4021b accepts and shelters all, or most all, of thelength of the muzzle device 46 and a distal section of the firearm'sbarrel 45 that is proximal to the muzzle device 46 and in a randomfashion except for model-specific firearm safety devices. Presently, thelock housing configuration 4021 and its proximally positioned orifice4000 may be modified to shelter multiple firearm types including genericor specific models of firearms. The configuration of the ‘shelter’ maytake two forms: first, a “generic” form that will accept any firearmhaving outside muzzle vicinity dimensions are less than the internaldimensions of the cavity opening 4000; and second, a “model specific”form that conforms to and will accept a specific model of firearm. Thecross sectional shape of the device 4030 that serves firearms, withcomponents that have a circular cross section, may be round. The crosssectional shape of the device 4030 that serves firearms, with componentsthat have a square and or rectangular cross section at the muzzlevicinity, may be square or rectangular as is found in the originalembodiment. Within both generic and model specific scenarios, barrellengths are assumed to be equal or nearly equal.

All of the internal components within the lock housing 4021configuration, in the improved design of the present invention areaccessible while the device is disengaged and removed. Some of thesecomponents are accessible by the removal of a snap ring 4014 fasteningmeans. The snap ring 4014, which is replaceable, serves to retain theabove and distally 12 located notched disk 4013 and conically shapedbushing 4013a in place, against an internal circumferential tab 4100dwithin the bushing configuration 4100. Snap rings may also fasten theabove additional support disk 4085 in place. Snap rings engage within aninterior channel, cut within the bushing interior 4100c or betweencomponents comprising the bushing 4100a and 4100b. Optional fasteningmeans are press fitted clamps upon counterbore screws 4023 as well asthe counterbore screws 4023 by themselves. Multiple counterbore screws4023 fasten the arms foundation 4075, support disk 4085, pyric disk 4080and lock foundation 4090 to the interior face of the lock housing base4021a. These stainless steel counterbore screws 4023 may be accompaniedwith small, superimposed (over their shaft) and bi-directionallyrotating bushings, serving as an anti-tamper means. Added benefits tothis configuration is that a miscreant, who gains possession of a gunwith this device installed, has no obvious place to begin in their questto defeat it.

The lock housing configuration 4021 of the device 4030 of the presentinvention has been modified to include a lanyard retainer, which may bea press fitted U-shaped component 4021e (as shown), a cave-likestructure machined into the lock housing configuration 4021 or by othermeans.

Lock foundation 4090 in conjunction with the above mentioned counterborescrews 4023 prevents rotation of the lock mechanism 4020 within the lockhousing configuration 4021. This lock foundation component 4090component is a collar, that circumferentially conforms to the insidediameter of the lock housing base 4021a and internally conforms to thephysical characteristics of the lock mechanism 4020. It is superimposedaround the lock mechanism 4020 and is fastened in place by an abovefastening means.

The device 4030 includes the cam 4012, which may be a shaped cam,wherein the shape may be that of a pyramid atop a box but not limitedthereto. When the lock mechanism 4020 is actuated in a clockwise manner,the cam 4012 is pushed in a proximal 11 direction, urging the arms 4015,pivotably and radially outward. Screw axial threading 4020a is found onthe proximal 11 terminus of the lock mechanism 4020 and within a distal12 interior 4012b and almost the full length of the cam 4012. The cam4012 is not rotatable, in that faces 4012a thereon, located proximally11 are in direct contact with distal 12 and ventral 4015b surfaces onthe arms 4015, which are urged radially and inwardly by the arm supportsprings 4015a thereon. With respect to the original device, the cam 4012is not constrained by material cross sectional requirements, is lessvulnerable to tampering and defeat, is expected to be much lessexpensive to manufacture and may be modified to conform to the type offirearm configuration, characteristics of the muzzle device and/or themuzzle in the vicinity thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, four of the arms 4015 are shown on armsfoundation 4075; however, more may be used including, for example, sixor nine or more of them. The device 4030 may possess more or fewer sucharms 4015, with their number and sizes selected as a function of theoutside diameter of the muzzle device 46 or muzzle, length of thefirearm's muzzle device 46, the type and configuration of the firearm,and its muzzle vicinity' physical characteristics. These arms 4015possess distally located tabs 4015d that are distally anchored in thearms foundation 4075 and whose arms 4015 extend proximally 11 toward thecavity 4000a that shelters the firearms muzzle.

The device 4030 includes the plurality of tabs 4018 that, when thedevice 4030 is actuated, migrate inwardly to occupy and grasp grooves48, indentations and/or cut outs on the firearm's muzzle and/or muzzledevice 46. The tabs 4018 may be either or both fixed (as shown) on thearms 4015 and movable, replaceable and adjustable on the arms 4015. Thisenables configurations of the device 4030 to conform to and secure bothindividual and multiple firearm muzzle devices 46. The tabs and/or thearms 4015 may be manufactured to identically conform to the physicalcharacteristics of the muzzle device 46, indentations, including cutsand serrations, on the muzzle of the firearm slide and blade-like orbead-like front sights. These tabs may be magnetized to hasten andbolster their employment.

The device 4030 includes bi-directionally rotating shaft 4110 thatextends from within the cam 4012 proximally into the barrel of thefirearm 40, cooperating with the conically shaped bushing 4013a,centering and stabilizing the firearm 40 within the device cavity 4000a.Materials employed in making the shaft 4110 are selected to be softenough not to damage the internal surfaces of the barrel 45 and muzzledevice 46 of the firearm 40 when actuated and otherwise when in contactwith those surfaces. Threading 4110b at the proximal end 11 of the shaft4110 accepts mutually threaded softer rods or wands 4110a. In firearms,with short barrel lengths, the bidirectionally rotating shaft 4110 mayserve in lieu of the wand 4110a.

The device 4030 includes the semi-flexible wand 4110a component that isconfigured for bi-directional rotational freedom of movement. It servesto fully occupy the firearm's chamber as an anti-tamper means and isarranged for fastening at the proximal end 11 of the shaft 4110 therebyoccupying the remainder of the barrel 45 and all of the chamber of thefirearm 40. Many models of this type of firearm have different optionalbarrel lengths. One or more wands 4110a, which are attachable to theshaft 4110 and replaceable, may be cut to the total length of the barreland chamber or wands 4110a may be telescoping, in which its mostproximal section is urged proximally, into the chamber 11, by internalcoil springs. The telescoping nature of this embodiment of the wand4110a allows a single wand to accommodate multiple barrel lengths.Materials employed in the manufacture of the wands 4110a are selected tobe soft enough to not damage the internal surfaces of the firearm muzzledevice, barrel and chamber and may be a hard rubber or plastic. Wandflexibility enables faster insertion and removal of the device 4030 toand from the firearm 40.

The device 4030 further includes the protective notched disk 4013 thatis arranged to protect the proximal end 11 of the cam 4012 and externaldistal 12 surfaces of the muzzle device 46 and is made of a material ormaterials that are soft enough to not abrade or damage these surfaces.The outside diameter of the notched disk 4013 also serves to provideinternal and lateral support to the device 4030 bushing configuration4100 and also serves as a backstop for the conically shaped bushing4013a. The circular notches on the circumference of this disk supports,aligns and guides the arms 4015 within the device 4030. The currentconfiguration of arm 4015 alignment is radially outward. Anotherconfiguration which may be employed is radially inward by disks withinternal circular notches corresponding to the arms that are cut withinthe inside diameter of a support disk 4085 or snap ring 4014. Thenotched disk 4013 may be expanded, modified, bolstered or merged withthe conically shaped bushing 4013a to engage, support and protect afirearm's barrel, crown and muzzle vicinity.

The conically shaped bushing 4013a is superimposed over the device'sbidirectionally rotating shaft 4110 and serves to occupy a cavity 47within the distal region 12 of the muzzle device 46. Together, with thenotched disk 4013, they center and stabilize the firearm within thedevice's cavity 4000a during activation, by eliminating looseness. Thiscomponent consists of a material that will not abrade or damage themuzzle device's interior 47.

A smooth, hard plastic-like material covers the ventral surfaces 4015bof the arms 4015, the tabs 4018 on each arm 4015, the internal surfaceof the opening 4000 into the cavity 4000a and, optionally, within aninternal lengths 4100a and 4100b of the bushing configuration 4100.These ventral surface cushions are hard, smooth, low friction andplasticlike; protecting external surfaces of the firearm's muzzledevice, muzzle and front sight against abrasion, damage and facilitatingboth insertion and withdrawal of the firearm. These hard covers may bepainted and baked on and/or heat-shrink applied. They provide componentprotection and also serve to reduce friction when inserting or removingthe firearm from the device 4030.

The key structure 4010 may be a standard key 4010a (as shown), designedto be removed to allow the device 4030 to be maintained in a locked orunlocked position without the insertion of a key. Alternatively, the keystructure 4010 may be a safety type (as shown), designed to be kept inplace within the lock housing configuration 4021 so that the user of theinvention may maintain the device 4030 in a locked position, while alsobeing able to quickly unlock the device 4030 without reinsertion of thekey 4010a. The surface of the key structure 4010 may be finished,knurled or otherwise modified to enhance one's grasp and handle-ability.

An additional element in accordance with this invention is a pyric disk4080. The pyric disk 4080 is located in the vicinity of the lockmechanism 4020, cam 4012, arms foundation 4075, and the distal terminiof the arms 4015. The location of the pyric disk 4080 is strategicallychosen to be near the threaded 4020a proximal 11 end of the lockmechanism 4020 and its union with the cam 4012. The pyric disk 4080 ismanufactured of a solder-like material that will melt when exposed toextreme heat as well as friction-related heat generated by cutting witha saw, drilling and grinding. The solder-like material should be a metalthat has a melting point at least as high as the temperature commonlyattained by blow-torches. The effect is to cause the cam 4012, armsfoundation 4075 and the distal 12 termini of the arms 4015 to be seizedin place. Gaps within the arms foundation 4075, support disk 4085, lockfoundation 4090 and the cavity within the lock housing 4000a enablesmolten material of the melted pyric disk 4080 to migrate throughout theinvention. This design, which allows molten material to migrate into thefirearm, may be utilized to further dissuade unauthorized users fromtampering with a firearm utilizing such an alternative design of theinstant invention. It should be clear that such an alternative design iswell within the scope of the present invention. Thus, pyric disk 4080 isdesigned as a mechanism to protect against tampering via devices such asan acetylene torch.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to thisspecific embodiment, it is to be understood that it is not limitedthereto and all equivalents are considered covered by the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for controlling access to a firearmhaving a muzzle barrel with a muzzle device coupled thereto, the devicecomprising: a lock housing with a base component coupled to a receptaclecomponent, wherein the receptacle component includes a cavity configuredfor insertion therein of the muzzle device and at least a portion of themuzzle barrel; a key structure coupled to the base component of the lockhousing, wherein the key structure is arranged to receive a key; a lockmechanism coupled to the key structure and arranged for actuation by thekey; a lock mechanism shaft coupled to the lock mechanism and configuredfor rotational movement upon actuation of the lock mechanism; a camhaving a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end of thecam is in contact with the lock mechanism shaft such that rotationalmovement of the lock mechanism shaft causes axial movement of the cam; abidirectional rotatable shaft coupled to the proximal end of the cam andarranged for insertion into the muzzle barrel of the firearm; aplurality of arms coupled to a perimeter of the cam and arranged forpivotal and radial movement to secure the firearm muzzle in the cavityof the lock housing; and a plurality of tabs arranged on the pluralityof arms for engagement with an exterior surface of the muzzle device toretain the muzzle device within the lock housing.
 2. The device of claim1 further comprising near the proximal end of the cam a notched diskwith circumferential notches or indentations that serve as guides toadjacent ones of the plurality of arms, wherein the notched disk is madeof a material that protects distal and external surfaces of the muzzledevice from abrasion and damage.
 3. The device of claim 2 furthercomprising a conically shaped bushing located proximal to the notcheddisk arranged to occupy a cavity within a distal region of the muzzledevice.
 4. The device of claim 3 further comprising a snap ring arrangedto fasten the notched disk and the conically shaped bushing together,wherein the bidirectional rotatable shaft is configured to protrude fromthe proximal end of the cam, penetrate through the notched disk, theconically shaped bushing and the snap ring and extend into the firearmbarrel.
 5. The device of claim 1 further comprising a semi-flexible,bi-directionally rotating wand coupled to a proximal end of thebidirectional rotatable shaft, wherein the wand is arranged to extendthrough a remainder of an internal length or bore of the barrel of thefirearm and the full length of its chamber, thus preventing the loadingof a live round of ammunition in the firearm.
 6. The device of claim 1wherein the plurality of arms and the tabs are configured to receive andgrasp blade-like front sights that are common to most firearms includingpistols, revolvers and many rifles as well as bead-like front sightscommon to shotguns.
 7. The device of claim 1 wherein the plurality ofarms and the tabs are configured to receive and grasp vertical andnear-vertical serrations, cuts and other indentations of the muzzleslide of the firearm.
 8. The device of claim 1 further comprising aself-protective cage-like structure arranged to protect the internallength of the device and the firearm against tampering and defeat. 9.The device of claim 8 wherein the cage-like structure includes a keydisk, one or more support disks, lock housing rods or pins and abushing, wherein the one or more support disks are located within aninterior of the bushing and the lock housing configuration to provideinternal lateral support against attempted compromise by crushing. 10.The device of claim 8 wherein the cage-like structure may be isconfigured to shelter multiple types of firearms, multiple types ofmuzzle devices and multiple muzzle configurations.
 11. The device ofclaim 9 wherein the bushing enjoys bi-directional rotational freedom ofmovement and internally protects the entire lock housing, cavity, allcomponents within the lock housing and at least a portion of the muzzledevice.
 12. The device of claim 11 wherein the bushing may be is aunitary structure or it may be a combination of bushing components. 13.The device of claim 1 further comprising a pyric disk located adjacentto the lock mechanism.
 14. The device of claim 1 further comprising alanyard retainer coupled to the lock housing.
 15. The device of claim 3wherein the conically shaped bushing is superimposed over thebidirectional rotatable shaft and serves to occupy the cavity within thedistal region of the muzzle device.
 16. The device of claim 15 whereinthe conically shaped bushing and the notched disk center and stabilizethe firearm within the cavity of the lock housing during activation soas to eliminate looseness.